Court of Wards Act, 1903

THE PUNJAB COURT OF WARDS ACT, 1903
(Act II of 1903)
CONTENTS
SECTION
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
HEADING
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
Title, extent and commencement.
Repeal.
Definitions.
CHAPTER II
THE COURT OF WARDS AND ITS JURISDICTION
Constitution of the Court of Wards and its jurisdiction.
Power of Government to make order, in certain cases directing the Court of Wards to
assume superintendence of properties of land-holders.
Power of Court of Wards, of its own motion, to assume superintendence.
Court of Wards shall assume superintendence in cases in which an order is made
under section 5 and may do so when Collector is appointed guardian under Act VIII
of 1890.
Properties of which there are more proprietors than one.
Notification of assumption of superintendence.
Operation and finality of orders made under sections 6, 7 and 8.
CHAPTER III
INQUIRY AND ACTION PRECEDING
ASSUMPTION OF SUPERINTENDENCE
Inquiry by Collector in order to satisfy himself as to whether action should be taken
under the Act.
Procedure in inquiries.
CHAPTER IV
WARDSHIP AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
Vesting of property of ward in the Court of Wards.
Non-liability of land vested in the Court of Wards to sale for arrears of revenue.
Disabilities of wards.
Continuing disabilities in certain cases.
Power of the Court of Wards to act on behalf of wards and to deal with their
properties.
Deeds and other instruments.
Notice of suits.
Suits to be in name of Court of Wards.
CHAPTER V
GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO THE
24.
25.
SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE PERSONS

AND PROPERTIES OF WARDS
Court of Wards assuming superintendence of the property to take possession
thereof. Procedure as to property situate in other districts.
Powers of Court of Wards as to superintendence and control. Audit of accounts and
management of legal affairs of wards and properties.
Power of Court of Wards to charge expenses against properties under its
superintendence.
Residence and education of wards.
Allowance for ward and his family.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
CHAPTER VI
ASCERTAINMENT AND LIQUIDATION
OF LIABILITIES OF WARDS
Notice to claimants.
Presentation of claims.
Examination into, admission and rejection of claims.
Bar of claims not duly notified.
Exclusion of documents not produced.
Decrees against wards or their properties and their execution.
Saving of right to sue in certain cases.
Appeal and revision.
Government may confer the powers of Collector on any person.
21.
22.
23.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
CHAPTER VII
GUARDIANS AND MANAGERS
Appointment, removal and control of guardians and tutors.
No person who can succeed to ward to be appointed guardian.
Duties and responsibilities of guardians.
Appointment, control and removal of managers.
Powers of managers.
Duties and responsibilities of managers.
Termination of appointment of guardian or manager.
Guardians and managers to be deemed to be public servants and managers and
certain guardians to be deemed to be public accountants.
Collector when to discharge the duties of guardian or manager.
CHAPTER VIII
RELEASE OF PERSONS AND PROPERTIES
FROM SUPERINTENDENCE
Power to release from superintendence.
Retention of superintendence of property until discharge of debts.
Retention of superintendence where there are more proprietors than one.
Appointment of guardian on release of minor.
Disposal of property after the death of a person of whose property the Court of
Wards has assumed superintendence.
49.
50.
51.
Delivery of documents and accounts on release of property.

Notifications as to release from superintendence.
Recovery of expenses.
52.
53.
CHAPTER IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Bar of suits and proceedings.
Investigations into matters under Chapters VI and VII to be considered judicial
proceedings.
Power to make rules.
54.
SCHEDULE
ENACTMENTS REPEALED
[1]
THE PUNJAB COURT OF WARDS ACT, 1903

(Act II of 1903)
[2 June 1903; 25 June 1903]
An Act to consolidate and amend the law
relating to the Court of Wards in the Punjab
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Court of Wards in the
Punjab;
It is hereby enacted as follows:CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1.
Title, extent and commencement. (1) This Act may be called the Punjab Court of
Wards Act, 1903.
(2)
It extends to the whole of the Punjab.
2.
Repeal. (1) The enactments specified in the schedule are hereby repealed to the extent
mentioned in the third column thereof.
(2)
But all rules and appointments made, notifications and orders issued, authorities and
powers conferred, farms and leases granted, rights acquired, liabilities incurred and other things done
under any of those enactments shall, so far as may be, be deemed to have been respectively made,
issued, conferred, granted, acquired, incurred and done under this Act.
(3)
Any enactment of document referring to any of those enactments shall so far as
may be, be construed to refer to this Act, or the corresponding portion thereof.
2[2]
[3.Definitions. In this Act
1[1]For statement of objects and reasons, see Punjab Gazette, 1902, Part V, page 114; for report of the Select
Committee, see ibid., 1903, page 21; for Proceedings in Council, see ibid., 1902, page 128; ibid., 1903, page 35.
2[2]Substituted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act 2012 (XLIV of 2012).
(a) immovable property shall include land, benefits to arise out of land, and things attached
to the earth or permanently fastened to anything which is attached to the earth, but shall not
include growing crops or grass;
(b) Board of Revenue means the Board of Revenue established under the Punjab Board of
Revenue Act 1957 (XI of 1957);
(c) Collector means the Collector of a District appointed under the Punjab Land Revenue
Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967) and includes an officer authorized by the Government to
exercise the powers of the Collector;
(d) Commissioner means a Commissioner of a Division appointed under the Punjab Land
Revenue Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967) and includes an Additional Commissioner;
(e) Government means Government of the Punjab;
(f) land-holder shall mean a person who possesses any interest in land, whether as proprietor,
assignee of the land-revenue, lessee of waste lands or otherwise;
(g) minor shall mean a person who has not, within the meaning of the Majority Act 1875,
attained his majority; and
(h) ward shall mean any person in respect of whose person or the whole or any part of whose
property or of whose person and property, the Court of Wards has assumed superintendence,
but shall not include a joint proprietor the superintendence of whose property has been
assumed by the Court of Wards under section 8.]
CHAPTER II
THE COURT OF WARDS AND ITS JURISDICTION
4.
Constitution of the Court of Wards and its jurisdiction. 3[3][(1) The 4[4][Commissioner
of the Division] within the limits of which any ward ordinarily resides, or any property of any
ward is situate, shall be the Court of Wards in respect of the person and the property of such
ward:
Provided that where any ward ordinarily resides, within the jurisdiction of one 5[5][Commissioner]
and his property or any part thereof is situate within the jurisdiction of any other 6[6]
[Commissioner], the Board of Revenue shall determine which 7[7][Commissioner] shall be the
Court of Wards in respect of the person and the property of such ward].
(2)
The Court of Wards may exercise all or any of the powers conferred on it by this Act either
direct or through 8[8][* * *] the 9[9][Collector] of the district within the limits of which any ward may
at any time reside or any part of the property of any ward may be situate, or through any other
3[3]Substituted by the Punjab Court of Wards (West Pakistan Amendment) Ordinance, 1968 (III of 1968).
4[4]Substituted for the words and brackets Executive District Officer (Revenue) of the District, by the Punjab Laws
(Amendment) Act 2011 (VI of 2011).
5[5]Ibid., for the words and brackets Executive District Officer (Revenue).
6[6]Ibid.
7[7]Ibid.
person whom it may at any time, in respect of any ward of the whole or any part of the property of
any ward, appoint in that behalf.
(3)
The Court of Wards may, with the sanction of the 10[10][Board of Revenue], from time to
time, by general or special order, or by rule made under this Act, delegate any of its powers to
any 11[11][* * *] 12[12][Collector] or other person as aforesaid, and may at any time, with the like
sanction, revoke any such delegation.
(4)
The powers and authority by this Act vested in the Court of Wards shall be exercised by
it, subject to the control of the 13[13][Board of Revenue].
5.Power of 14[14][Government] to make order, in certain cases directing the Court of Wards
to assume superintendence of properties of land-holders. (1) Any land-holder may apply to
the 15[15][Court of Wards] to make an order directing that his property be placed under the
superintendence of the Court of Wards and upon receiving any such application, the 16[16][Court of
Wards], may, if it considers it expedient in the public interest so to do, make an order
accordingly.
(2)
When it appears to the 17[17][Court of Wards] that any land-holder is
(a)
by reason of being a female; or
8[8]The words, the Commissioner of the Division or, omitted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of
Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), section 3, Schedule III.
9[9]Substituted for the words and brackets District Officer (Revenue), by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act 2011
(VI of 2011).
10[10]Substituted the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), for the words
Provincial Government which were previously substituted, for the words Local Government, by the Government
of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937 as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian
Laws) Supplementary Order, 1937.
11[11]The words, Commissioner or, deleted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI
of 1957).
12[12]Substituted for the words and brackets District Officer (Revenue), by the Punjab Laws (Amendment) Act
2011 (VI of 2011).
13[13]Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), for the words
Provincial Government.
14[14]Substituted for the words Provincial Government by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act 2012
(XLIV of 2012).
16[16]Ibid.
(b) owing to any physical or mental defect or infirmity; or

(c) owing to his having been convicted of a non-bailable offence and to his vicious habits
or bad character; or
(d) owing to his having entered upon a course of wasteful extravagance likely to dissipate
his property;
incapable of managing or unfitted to manage his affairs, the 18[18][Court of Wards] may make an
order directing that the property of such land-holder be placed under the superintendence of the
Court of Wards:
Provided that such an order shall not be made on the ground stated in clause (c) or on the ground
stated in clause (d) unless such land-holder belongs to a family of political or social importance
and the 19[19][Court of Wards] is satisfied that it is desirable, on ground of public policy or general
interest, to make such order.
(3)
Every order made by the 20[20][Court of Wards] under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2)
shall be final and shall not be called in question in any Court of Law.
6.Power of Court of Wards, of its own motion, to assume superintendence. When any land
holder is a minor or a person adjudged by a competent Court to be of unsound mind and incapable of
managing his affairs, the Court of Wards may make an order assuming the superintendence of the
property or the person and property of such land-holder.
7.
Court of Wards shall assume superintendence in cases in which an order is made
under section 5 and may do so when Collector is appointed guardian under Act VIII of
1890. (1) When , in respect of any land-holder an order is made by the 21[21][Court of Wards]
under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 5, the Court of Wards shall assume the
superintendence of the property of such land-holder and may in its discretion also assume the
superintendence of his person.
(2)
When the 22[22][Collector] is appointed or declared to be guardian of the person or property or
both, of a minor, under the provisions of section 18 of the Guardian and Wards Act, 189023[23], he shall
17[17]Ibid.
18[18]Ibid.
20[20]Ibid.
21[21]Ibid.
2011 (VI of 2011).
23[23]VIII of 1890.
intimate the fact to the Court of Wards, and the Court of Wards may thereupon, in its discretion,
either assume, or refrain from assuming, the superintendence of the person or property, or both (as
the case may be), of such minor, and the provisions of this Act shall if such superintendence be so
assumed, apply to the person or property, or both (as the case may be) of such minor.
8.Properties of which there are more proprietors than one. When there are two or more
proprietors of any property and the shares of the several proprietors have not been separated off,
and the Court of Wards, acting under section 6 or section 7, assumes the superintendents of the
property of one or more, but not all, of such proprietors, the Court of Wards may assume the
superintendence also of the shares of such joint-proprietor or joint-proprietors as is or are not
disqualified, paying any such proprietor the surplus income accruing from his shares of the
property. The superintendence assumed under this section shall extend only to the management
of the share of the joint proprietor in such joint property and shall not as regards such share
include the power to sell or mortgage the same or any part thereof or to grant a lease thereof for a
period exceeding 20 years or to create any charge thereon or interest therein.
9.
Notification of assumption of superintendence. Whenever the Court of Wards, assumes
the superintendence of the person or property of any person under any of the provisions of this Act,
the order of assumption shall be notified in the 24[24][Official Gazette] and shall specify the district the
25[25]
[Collector] of which shall be put in charge on behalf of the Court of Wards.
10.Operation and finality of orders made under sections 6, 7 and 8. Every order made by
the Court of Wards assuming, under section 6, 7 and 8 respectively, the superintendence of the
person or property, or both of any person shall take effect from the date fixed in this behalf in the
notification published under section 9 and shall be final and shall not be called in question in any
court of law.
CHAPTER III
INQUIRY AND ACTION PRECEDING ASSUMPTION OF
SUPERINTENDENCE
26[26]
11. Inquiry by
[Collector] in order to satisfy himself as to whether action should be taken
under the Act. (1) 27[27][For the purpose of satisfying himself as to whether in respect of any landholder, the Court of Wards should be moved to make an order under section 5(2) or section 6,] or
24[24]Substituted, for the word Gazette, by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937 as
amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary Order, 1937.
2011 (VI of 2011).
26[26]Ibid.
27[27]Substituted
by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), section 3,
Schedule, III, for the following portion:-For the purpose of satisfying himself as to whether in respect of any landholder,
(a) the Provincial Government should be moved to make an order under sub-section (2) of section 5, or
for the purpose of making any report which may be called for in connection with any application of
a land-holder under sub-section (1) of section 5, the 28[28][Collector] may make such inquiry into the
circumstances of such land-holder as he may deem necessary, and, pending the taking of any such
action, may issue such orders for the temporary custody and protection of the person or property, or
both, of such land-holder, as he thinks fit.
(2)
If the land-holder be a minor, the 29[29][Collector] may direct that the person, if any, then
having the custody of the minor, shall produce him, or cause him to be produced, at such place
and time as the 30[30][Collector] appoints, and may make such orders for the future custody of the
minor, pending the orders of the Court of Wards, as he thinks proper.
(3)
If the minor is a female who ought not to be compelled to appear in public, the direction
under sub-section (2) shall require her to be produced in accordance with the manners and
customs of the country.
(4)
If the land-holder is alleged to be or is of unsound mind, the 31[31][Collector] shall
make application to a competent Court in view to an inquiry being made by such Court for the
purpose of ascertaining whether such person is or is not of unsound mind and incapable of managing
his affairs.
12.Procedure in inquiries. (1) For the purposes of every inquiry to be made, or direction to be
given, in pursuance of any of the provisions of the Act, the 32[32][Collector] may exercise all or
any of the powers of a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure33[33].
(2)
For the purpose of protecting the property, or any part thereof, of any land-holder,
pending an inquiry under sub-section (1) of section 11, the 34[34][Collector] may, subject to the
direction and control of the Court of Wards, take possession thereof and appoint a manager and
such caretakers in respect thereto as he may deem fit.
(b) the Court of Wards should be moved to make an order under section 6.
The words Provincial Government were earlier substituted for the words Local Government by the
Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937 as amended by the Government of India
(Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary Order, 1937.
2011 (VI of 2011).
29[29]Ibid.
30[30]Ibid.
31[31]Ibid.
32[32]Ibid.
33[33]IV of 1882.
CHAPTER IV
WARDSHIP AND ITS CONSEQUENCES
13.Vesting of property of ward in the Court of Wards. (1) Upon the publication of a
notification under section 9, in respect of the property of any person, the whole of such property,
at the date of the notification, shall vest in the Court of Wards, and shall remain so vested until
the Court of Wards shall, by notification under section 50, divest itself of the superintendence of
the whole or any part thereof, or is otherwise divested of such superintendence in due course of
law.
(2)
All rights accruing to and properly inherited by or vesting in any ward after the
publication of a notification under section 9, and while the property of such ward is under the
superintendence of the Court of Wards, shall vest in the Court of Wards:
Provided that the Court of Wards may, in its discretion assume, or refrain from assuming,
the superintendence of any property which any ward may acquire, otherwise than by inheritance,
subsequent to the date of the notification published under section 9.
14. Non-liability of land vested in the Court of Wards to sale for arrears of revenue. No
land under the superintendence of the Court of Wards shall be sold for arrears of revenue
accruing while such land is under such superintendence.
15. Disabilities of wards. No ward shall be competent
(a) to transfer or create any charge on, or interest in, the whole or any part of his property
which is under the superintendence of the Court of Wards, or to enter into any contract
which may involve him in pecuniary liability:
Provided that nothing in this clause shall be deemed to affect the capacity of a
ward to enter into a contract of marriage, but he shall not incur, in connection
therewith, any pecuniary liability, expect such as, having regard to the personal law to
which he is subject, and to his rank and circumstances, the Court of Wards may, in
writing, declare to be reasonable;
(b) without the previous sanction, in writing, of the Court of Wards, (1) to adopt, or (2) to
give permission to adopt, or (3) to dispose of any property by will.
16. Continuing disabilities in certain cases. (1) When the property of any land-holder, in
respect of whom an order has been made under sub-section (1) or on the last ground stated in
sub-section (2) of section 5, is released from the superintendence of the Court of Wards, such
land-holder shall not be competent, without the previous sanction of the 35[35][Board of Revenue]
to alienate the whole or any part of the immovable property which has been so released, in any
way, or to create any charge upon any such property extending beyond his life time, and every
transfer made to or attempted to be made, or charge created or attempted to be created, in
contravention of this provision, shall be void.
(2)
No suit shall be brought whereby to charge any person upon any promise made after he
has ceased to be a ward to pay any debt contracted during the period when he was a ward, or
2011 (VI of 2011).
35[35]Substituted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), section 3,
Schedule III for the words Provincial Government which were previously substituted, for the words Local
Government, by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937 as amended by the Government
of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Supplementary Order, 1937.
upon any ratification made after he has ceased to be a ward of any promise or contract made
during the above period, whether there shall or shall not be any new consideration for such
promise or ratification.
17. Power of the Court of Wards to act on behalf of wards and to deal with their
properties. (1) The Court of Wards may, at any time, mortgage or sell the whole or any part of
the property of a ward, and may grant leases or forms of the whole or any part of such property
for such terms as it thinks fit, and may make such remissions of rental or other arrears and may
generally and from time to time pass all such orders and do all such acts, not inconsistent with
the provisions of this or any other enactment for the time being in force, as it may deem to be for
the advantage of the ward or the benefit of his property.
(2)
The Court of Wards may, for the purpose of raising a loan for the benefit of a
ward or his property, hypothecate, with the consent of the 36[36][Board of Revenue] any Jagir,
mafi, pension or assignment of land-revenue held by the ward.
18.Deeds and other instruments. (1) All deeds, contracts or other instruments executed by the
Court of Wards in the exercise of its powers of superintendence under this Act, shall be executed
by the Court of Wards in its own name.
(2)
Covenants entered into by the Court of Wards shall be binding on the Court of
Wards only so long as the ward or the property affected by such covenants remains under its
superintendence and only to the extent of such property; and such covenants shall be binding on
the ward or on the person entitled to such property after the ward or the property or both (as the
case may be) shall have been released from superintendence.
(3)
This section shall also apply to all deeds, contracts and other instruments executed
before the commencement of this Act.
19. Notice of suits. No suit 37[37][or decree] relating to the person of any ward or to any
property under the superintendence of the Court of Wards shall be instituted 38[38][or executed] in
any Civil or Revenue Court until the expiration of two months after notice in writing has been
delivered to, or left at, the office of the 39[39][Collector] of the district specified in the order of
assumption in the notification under section 9, stating the name and place of abode of the
intending plaintiff, 40[40][or decree-holder, as the case may be, and such other particulars as may be
prescribed by rules made under this Act], and the plaint 41[41][or application for execution] shall
contain a statement that such notice has been so delivered or left:
Schedule III for the words Provincial Government which were previously substituted, for the words Local
37[37]Inserted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 1944 (II of 1944), section 2.
38[38]Ibid.
2011 (VI of 2011).
Provided that notice under this section shall not be required in the case of any suit the period of
limitation for which will expire within three months from the date of the notification under
section 9.
20. Suits to be in name of Court of Wards. (1) No suit (a) by or on behalf of a ward, or (b)
affecting any property under superintendence of the Court of Wards shall be brought without the
authority of the Court of Wards or of such officer as it may appoint in that behalf, and in every such
suit brought with such authority the Court of Wards shall be named as plaintiff.
(2)
In every suit against a ward or affecting property under the superintendence of
Court of Wards, the Court of Wards shall be named as the defendant.
(3)
Suits brought by or against any Court of Wards may be instituted and conducted or
defended on behalf of the Court of Wards by the 42[42][Collector] of the district specified in the order of
assumption in the notification under section 9, or by the manager or other person authorised, by
general or special order or rule made under this Act, in that behalf, by the Court of Wards.
40[40]Substituted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 1944 (II of 1944), for the words the cause of
action, and the relief which he claims.
41[41]Inserted ibid.
2011 (VI of 2011).
CHAPTER V
GENERAL PROVISIONS AS TO THE SUPERINTENDENCE
OF THE PERSONS AND PROPERTIES OF WARDS
21.Court of Wards assuming superintendence of the property to take possession thereof.
Procedure as to property situate in other districts. As soon as conveniently may be after the
assumption, by the Court of Wards, of the superintendence of the property of any person, the 43[43]
[Collector] of every district within which any part of such property may be situated, or some person
authorised, in writing, by him in this behalf, shall take possession of all such property and all
accounts and papers relating thereto, and shall do all other acts and things which may be necessary to
secure and protect the same and place it under proper custody and control.
22.Powers of Court of Wards as to superintendence and control. Audit of accounts and
management of legal affairs of wards and properties. The Court of Wards may from time to
time direct such provision as it may think fit to be made in respect of the
(1) superintendence and supervision of the persons of the wards and properties under its
superintendence;
(2) periodical or special audit, by an independent auditor, of the accounts of properties
generally or of any particular property as it may think fit;
(3) management of the legal affairs of properties generally, or of any particular property,
as it may think fit.
23. Power of Court of Wards to charge expenses against properties under its
superintendence. The Court of Wards may from time to time regulate the expenses to be
incurred in the supervision, care and management of the wards and properties under its
superintendence, and generally in carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Act, and may
order that such expenses, or any of them, including all salaries, gratuities and leave allowances of
establishments and all contingent and other expenses whatsoever which it shall consider
requisite, be charged against such property generally, or against any one or more properties
comprised in such property for the purposes of which such establishments are, or have been,
entertained or such expenses have been incurred.
24. Residence and education of wards. (1) The Court of Wards may pass such orders as it
thinks fit in respect of the residence of any ward whose person is for the time being under its
superintendence, and, when he is a male minor, in respect of his education.
(2)
The Court of Wards may from time to time require any such male minor ward to
attend such tutor, class, school or college, for the purposes of education, as it thinks fit.
25. Allowance for ward and his family. (1) The Court of Wards may from time to time
determine what sums shall be allowed in respect of the expenses of any ward and of his family
and dependents.
(2)
The Court of Wards may from time to time determine what sums may be spent on
the education of any minor ward whose person is for the time being under its superintendence.
CHAPTER VI
2011 (VI of 2011).
ASCERTAINMENT AND LIQUIDATION OF LIABILITIES OF WARDS

26. Notice to claimants. (1) On the publication of a notification under section 9, the 44[44]
[Collector] of the District specified in the order of assumption or any other 45[45][Collector] whom
the Court of Wards may appoint in that behalf shall publish in the 46[46][Official Gazette] a notice
in both the English and the Urdu languages calling upon all persons having claims against the
ward or against the property under the superintendence of the Court of Wards to notify the same
in writing to such 47[47][Collector] within six months from the date of the publication of the notice.
(2)
The notice may also be published at such places and in such other manner as the Court of
Wards may, by general or special order, direct or by rule, made under this Act, prescribe.
(3)
The 48[48][Collector] may, if he is satisfied that any claimant had reasonable excuse for
not submitting his statement of claim within six months, receive his claim at any time after the expiry
of the period aforesaid, but any claim so received shall, unless the 49[49][Collector] otherwise directs
and notwithstanding any law, contract, decree or award to the contrary, cease to carry interest from
the date of the expiry of the period aforesaid.
27.Presentation of claims. (1) Every claimant shall, together with his statement of claim,
present full particulars thereof.
(2)
Every document (including entries in books of account) on which the claimant found
his claim, or on which he relies in support thereof, shall be produced before the 50[50][Collector] with
the statement of claim.
(3)
Every such document shall be accompanied by a true copy of the same. The 51[51]
[Collector] or such officer as he may appoint in that behalf, shall mark the original document for
the purpose of identification, and after examining and comparing the copy with it shall retain the
copy and return the original to the claimant.
2011 (VI of 2011).
45[45]Ibid.
46[46]Substituted for the word Gazette, by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937 as
2011 (VI of 2011).
48[48]Ibid.
49[49]Ibid.
2011 (VI of 2011).
51[51]Ibid.
28.Examination into, admission and rejection of claims. (1) The 52[52][Collector] shall, after such
inquiry as he may consider necessary, decide as to each claim made against any ward of property, in
manner in section 26 and section 27 provided whether such claim is, either in whole or in part to be
admitted or disallowed and shall intimate, in writing his decision in respect of each such claim to the
claimant thereof. If such liabilities cannot be paid at once, the decision shall fix the interest (if any) to
be paid thereon from the date of such decision to the date of the payment and discharge of such
claim.
29.Bar of claims not duly notified. Every debt or liability other than debt due to, or liabilities
incurred in favour of, 53[53][the Government] to which any ward is subject, or with which any
property under the superintendence of the Court of Wards or any part thereof is charged, and which
is not duly notified to the said 54[54][Collector] within the time and in the manner hereinbefore
prescribed, shall, subject to the provisions of section 7 and section 13 of the 55[55]Indian Limitation
Act, 1877, be deemed for all purposes and on all occasions, whether during the continuance of the
superintendence of the Court of Wards or afterwards, to have been duly discharged:
Provided that the provisions of this section shall not be deemed to extinguish any such debt or
liability in any case in which the Court of Wards, after assuming the superintendence of such
property, releases the same from such superintendence without ascertaining and dealing with the
liabilities thereof as in this chapter provided in that behalf, and that, in any such case, in
computing the period of limitation applicable to any suit or application for the recovery of any
such debt or the enforcement of any such liability, the time from the date of the notification of
claim under section 26, to the date of the release of the property from the superintendence of the
Court of Wards, shall be excluded.
30. Exclusion of documents not produced. If any document in the possession or under the
control of the claimant is not produced by him as required by section 27, such document shall not
be admissible in evidence in any suit or proceeding thereafter brought against a ward or as
affecting any property under the superintendence of the Court of Wards by the claimant, or by
any person claiming under him.
31. Decrees against wards or their properties and their execution. (1) Nothing contained in this
chapter shall be deemed to empower the 56[56][Collector] to disallow any claim, notified under section
26, which is based upon a decree passed by any competent Court, and any such decree may be proved
52[52]Ibid.
53[53]Substituted for the word the Crown, by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order 1964, section 2 (1),
Schedule, Part II.
2011 (VI of 2011).
55[55]Now the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908)

2011 (VI of 2011).
by the production of a certified copy of the same accompanied by a certificate from the proper court
that such decree remains unsatisfied.
(2)
On the publication of a notice under section 26, all suits and all proceedings in execution
of any decree against a ward or as affecting any property under the superintendence of the Court
of Wards then pending in any Civil Court shall be stayed 57[57][* * *].
58[58]
[(3)No such suit or proceedings shall be continued or revived in any such court until the
expiration of six months from the date of the publication of the notice under section 26, and until
the expiration of two months after notice in writing has been delivered to, or left at, the office of
the 59[59][Collector] of the District specified in the order of assumption in the notification under
section 9 stating the name and place of abode of the plaintiff or decree-holder, as the case may
be, and such other particulars in respect of the suit or decree as may be prescribed by rules made
under this Act and every application for the continuance or revival of the suit or proceedings and
every application for the institution of fresh proceedings in execution of such decree shall
contain a statement that the provisions of this sub-section have been complied with].
32.Saving of right to sue in certain cases. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 19 and
section 31 nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing any claimant from bringing or
prosecuting any suit, 60[60][or executing any decree], in any competent Court, in respect of any
claim which has been duly notified, within the time and in the manner hereinbefore prescribed,
to the 61[61][Collector], and which has, whether in whole or in part, been disallowed by him:
62[62]
[Provided that no suit or proceedings in execution of any decree shall at any time be brought
or be maintainable
(a) in respect of any claim which has not been so notified; or
(b) to set aside or modify the order (if any) of a 63[63][Collector] fixing a date for the
payment of such claim or regulating the order in which claims against the ward of
properties under the superintendence of the Court of Wards shall be paid].
57[57]The words and figures until the plaintiff or the decree-holder files the certificate that the claim has been notified
in accordance with section 29 omitted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 1944 (II of 1944), section 3.
58[58]Substituted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 1944 (II of 1944), for the original sub-section (3).
2011 (VI of 2011).
60[60]Inserted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 1944 (II of 1944).
2011 (VI of 2011).
62[62]Substituted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 1944 (II of 1944), for the following words:-but
no suit shall at any time be brought or be maintainable in respect of any claim which has not been so notified or to
set aside or modify the order of a Deputy Commissioner (if any) fixing a date for the payment of such claim or
regulating the order in which claims against the ward or properties under the superintendence of the Court of
Wards shall be paid.
(2)
In computing any period of limitation prescribed by the 64[64]Indian Limitation Act, 1877, or
section 230 of the Civil Procedure Code65[65], every period during which proceedings have been
stayed or temporarily barred by reasons of the provisions of this section or of section 31 shall be
excluded.
33.Appeal and revision. No appeal shall lie from any decision given or order made by a 66[66]
[Collector] under this chapter, but nothing in this section shall be deemed in any way to limit or
interfere with the power of the Court of Wards to revise any such decision or order.
34.67[67][Government] may confer the powers of 68[68][Collector] on any person. For the
purposes of this chapter, the 69[69][Board of Revenue] may, at any time or at any stage of any
proceedings thereunder, invest any person with all or any of the powers of a 70[70][Collector].
CHAPTER VII
GUARDIANS AND MANAGERS
35.Appointment, removal and control of guardians and tutors. (1) The Court of Wards may
from time to time appoint guardians for the care of the persons of such wards as are minors or of
unsound mind, or are suffering from any physical or mental defect or infirmity, or are females
and unmarried, and may control and remove such guardians and no appointment of a guardian
for any ward shall be valid, unless and until it has been confirmed by the Court of Wards.
2011 (VI of 2011).
64[64]XV of 1877, subsequently replaced by the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908).
65[65]XIV of 1882.
2011 (VI of 2011).
67[67]Substituted for the words Provincial Government by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act 2012
(XLIV of 2012).
2011 (VI of 2011).
Schedule III, for the words Provincial Government, which were previously substituted, for the words Local
2011 (VI of 2011).
(2)
In appointing a guardian under this section, the Court of Wards shall be guided, as
far as may be, by the provisions of section 17 of the Guardian and Wards Act, 1890 71[71], and if a
ward leaves or is removed from the custody of a guardian appointed under this section, the 72[72]
[Collector] of the District specified in the notification issued under section 9 may exercise the
powers conferred by section 25 of the said Act on a Court as defined in that Act.
(3)
The Court of Wards may appoint any person to be the tutor of any minor male ward and
may control and remove such tutor. Every tutor so appointed shall discharge such duties and
regulate his conduct in such manner as the Court of Wards may from time to time direct.
36. No person who can succeed to ward to be appointed guardian. No person who would
be the next legal heir of a ward, or would otherwise be immediately interested in outliving a
ward, shall be appointed to be his guardian; but nothing in this section shall apply to the mother
of a ward or to a testamentary guardian.
37. Duties and responsibilities of guardians. A guardian appointed under this chapter shall be
charged with the custody of the ward, and shall, subject to the supervision and direction of the
Court of Wards, and the rules (if any) made, under this Act, in that behalf, make suitable provision
for his maintenance, health and, if he be a minor, his education and such other matters as the
personal law to which the ward is subject, requires and shall
(a) give such security, if any, as the Court of Wards thinks fit for the due performance of
his duty;
(b) submit such accounts as the Court of Wards may direct;
(c) pay the balances due from him thereon;
(d) continue liable to account to the Court of Wards, after he has ceased to be guardian, for
his receipts and disbursements during the period of his guardianship;
(e) apply for the sanction of the Court of Wards to any act which may involve expense not
previously sanctioned by it; and
(f) be entitled to such salary or allowance, to be paid out of the proceeds of the property of
the ward as the Court of Wards thinks fit, in respect of the execution of his duties as
such.
38. Appointment, control and removal of managers. The Court of Wards may appoint one
or more managers for any properties under its superintendence and may control and remove such
managers.
39. Powers of managers. A manager appointed by the Court of Wards shall, subject to the
supervision and direction of the Court of Wards, and the rules (if any) made, under this Act, in
that behalf, have power to collect the rents of the lands placed under his charge as well as all
other money due to the ward or person whose property he manages, and to grant receipts
therefor; and he may, subject to the same supervision, direction and rules (if any), grant and
renew leases and farms, and do all such lawful acts as he may be generally or specially
authorised by the Court of Wards to do for the good management of the property.
71[71]VIII of 1890.
2011 (VI of 2011).
40. Duties and responsibilities of managers. Every manager appointed by the Court of
Wards shall, subject to the supervision and direction of the Court of Wards, and to the rules (if
any) made, under this Act, in that behalf, manage the property or properties placed under his
charge diligently and faithfully, and he shall
(a) give such security, if any, as the Court of Wards thinks fit duly to account for what he
may receive in respect of the rents and profits and other income of the property under
his charge;
(b) keep accounts in such form and submit them at such times as the Court of Wards may
direct;
(c) deal with all money received by him in such manner as the Court of Wards may direct;
(d) apply for the sanction of the Court of Wards to any act which may involve the property in
expense not previously sanctioned by it;
(e) be entitled to such salary or allowance, to be paid out of the proceeds of such property,
as the Court of Wards thinks fit, in respect of the execution of his duties;
(f) be responsible for any loss occasioned to the property by his negligence or wilful
default; and
(g) continue liable to account to the Court of Wards after he has ceased to be manager for
his receipts and disbursements during the period of his management.
41. Termination of appointment of guardian or manager. The appointment of every
guardian or manager appointed under this chapter, shall terminate on the court of Wards ceasing
to exercise superintendence of the person or property in respect of whom or which such guardian
or manager, as the case may be, has been appointed.
42. Guardians and managers to be deemed to be public servants and managers and certain
guardians to be deemed to be public accountants. (1) Every guardian and manager appointed
under this chapter shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the
73[73]
[Pakistan] Penal Code74[74] and for the purposes of that Code.
(2)
Every such manager shall be deemed to be a public accountant within the meaning of the
Public Accountants Act, 185075[75], and every such guardian shall be deemed to be a Public
accountant within the meaning and for the purposes of sections 3 to 5 of the Public Accountants Act,
185076[76].
73[73]Substituted, for the word Indian, by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of
1955), section 2, Schedule I, Part II.
74[74]XLV of 1860.
75[75]XII of 1850.
76[76]Ibid.
(3)
In the definition of legal remuneration contained in section 161 of the 77[77][Pakistan]
Penal Code the word Government shall, for the purposes of this section, be deemed to include
the Court of Wards.
43.78[78][Collector] when to discharge the duties of guardian or manager. If no such guardian
or manager is appointed by the Court of Wards, the 79[79][Collector] of the District specified in the
order of assumption in the notification under section 9 or any other 80[80][Collector] whom the Court
of Wards may appoint in that behalf, shall be competent to do anything that might be lawfully done
by a guardian of the person or a manager of the property appointed under this chapter.
CHAPTER VIII
RELEASE OF PERSONS AND PROPERTIES FROM SUPERINTENDENCE
44.Power to release from superintendence. The Court of Wards may, at any time, release any
person or property or both, from its superintendence:
81[81]
[*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*]
82[82]
Provided,
[* * *] that persons or property under the charge of the Court of Wards, in accordance
with the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 7, shall not be released without the concurrence of
the Court which appointed or declared the 83[83][Collector] to be guardian of the person or property,
or both, of the person concerned, under the Guardians and Wards Act, 189084[84].
45.Retention of superintendence of property until discharge of debts. (1) Whenever a ward
dies or ceases to be under any legal incapacity, and his property is, at the time of his death or
cessation of incapacity, still encumbered with debts and liabilities, the Court of Wards may either
77[77]Substituted, for the word Indian, by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of
2011 (VI of 2011).
79[79]Ibid.
80[80]Ibid.
81[81]The first proviso omitted by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957),
section 3, Schedule III.
82[82]The word further omitted ibid.

2011 (VI of 2011).
84[84]VIII of 1890.
release such property or, with the sanction of the 85[85][Board of Revenue] retain it or any part
thereof under its superintendence until such debts and liabilities have been discharged.
(2)
In any case provided for in sub-section (1) the Court of Wards may together with the
property of any such ward also retain, until the said debts and liabilities have been discharged,
the property of which it has assumed the superintendence under section 8.
46. Retention of superintendence where there are more proprietors than one. If, in the
case of any property, there are more proprietors than one, the Court of Wards may retain the
whole property under its superintendence if one or more of the proprietors remain Wards,
although other or others may have ceased to be under any legal incapacity:
Provided that in such cases a proprietor who has ceased to be disqualified shall not, after the
cessation of such disqualification, be deemed to be ward for the purposes of this Act and the Court of
Wards shall pay to such proprietor the surplus income accruing from his share of the joint property.
47. Appointment of guardian on release of minor. (1) When the Court of Wards decides to
release from its superintendence the person or property, or both, of any minor, it may, before
such release, by an order in writing appoint any person to be the guardian of the person or
property, or both, of such minor.
(2)
Such appointment shall take effect from the date of such release.
(3)
In appointing a guardian under this section the Court of Wards shall be guided by
the provisions of section 17 of the Guardians and Wards Act, 189086[86], and in every such case the
87[87]
[Collector] of the District specified in the order of assumption in the notification under section
9 shall have the powers conferred upon a 88[88][Collector] under section 35 (2).
(4)
Every such guardian shall have and be subject to the same rights, duties and liabilities as
if he had been appointed under the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890.
48. Disposal of property after the death of a person of whose property the Court of Wards
has assumed superintendence. Whenever, in the event of the death of any person of whose
property the Court of Wards has assumed superintendence, the succession to his property or any
part thereof, is unclaimed or disputed, the Court of Wards may either direct that the property, or
part thereof, be made over to any person entitled to or claiming the same, or may institute a suit of
interpleader against the several claimants or may retain the superintendence thereof until a
claimant has, in due course of law, established his title thereto in a competent Court.
49. Delivery of documents and accounts on release of property. Whenever the Court of
Wards releases the property of any person from its superintendence, it shall deliver to such
Provincial Government, which were previously substituted, for the words Local Government, by the Government
of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937 as amended by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian
Laws) Supplementary Order, 1937.
86[86]VIII of 1890.
2011 (VI of 2011).
88[88]Ibid.
person or if it has appointed a guardian under sub-section (1) of section 47, to such guardian all
documents of title and all papers and accounts (other than Government records) relating to such
property.
50. Notifications as to release from superintendence. Whenever the Court of Wards releases
any person or property from its superintendence, the fact of such release shall be notified in the 89[89]
[Official Gazette], and such release shall take effect from the date fixed in this behalf in the
notification.
51.Recovery of expenses. Any expense incurred by the Court of Wards on account of any
property under its superintendence may, after the release of such property, be recovered as an
arrear of land-revenue due in respect of such property, or any part thereof.
CHAPTER IX
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
52. Bar of suits and proceedings. (1) No suit shall be brought in any Civil Court in respect of
the exercise of any discretion conferred by this Act.
(2)
No suit shall be brought against any officer of Government or any guardian,
manager or servant appointed by and discharging his duties under a Court of Wards for anything
done by him in good faith under this Act.
53. Investigations into matters under Chapters VI and VII to be considered judicial
proceedings. Every investigation conducted by a 90[90][Collector] with reference to any claim
preferred before him under Chapter VI or Chapter VII or to any matter connected with any such
claim shall be taken to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of the 91[91][Pakistan] Penal
Code92[92].
[54.Power to make rules. (1) The Board of Revenue may, with the previous approval of the
Government, make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act.
(2)
Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (1), the rules may regulate any of
the following matters:(a) management of a property under the superintendence of the Court of Wards;
93[93]
89[89]Substituted, for the word Gazette, by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937 as
2011 (VI of 2011).
91[91]Substituted for the word Indian, by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of
92[92]XLV of 1860.
93[93]Substituted by the Punjab Court of Wards (Amendment) Act 2012 (XLIV of 2012).
(b) procedure to be observed and the powers to be exercised by any person in any
proceedings under the Act; and
(c) any matter or thing required or permitted by the Act to be prescribed.]
SCHEDULE
ENACTMENTS REPEALED
Number and year
XXVI of 1854
IV of 1872
XII of 1878
Title
Extent of repeal
Education of male minors subject to the The whole so far as it applied to the
superintendence of the Court of Wards.
Punjab.
The Punjab Laws Act, 1872.
Sections 34 to 38 inclusive.
Amendment of the Punjab Laws Act, 1872.
Sections 3 and 4.

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Court of Wards Act, 1903

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THE PUNJAB COURT OF WARDS ACT, 1903

SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE PERSONS

Delivery of documents and accounts on release of property.

THE PUNJAB COURT OF WARDS ACT, 1903

[3.Definitions. In this Act

(b) owing to any physical or mental defect or infirmity; or

ASCERTAINMENT AND LIQUIDATION OF LIABILITIES OF WARDS

55[55]Now the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908)

82[82]The word further omitted ibid.

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